She spoke to them, too, of God's hatred of sin, and the need of watchfulness and prayer.
"The devil hates us, my darlings," she said; "he goes about like a roaring lion, seeking to kill our souls; but Jesus loves us, he is stronger than Satan, and if we keep close to him we are safe."
Having seen them safe in bed, she went to her dressing-room, to find the other four there waiting for her.
They gathered about her with glad, loving looks and words, each eager to anticipate her wishes and to be the first to wait upon her.
"My dear children," she said, smiling through glistening tears, "your love is very sweet to me!"
"And what do you think yours is to us, mamma?" exclaimed Violet, kneeling at her mother's feet and clasping her arms about her waist, while she lifted to hers a face glowing with ardent affection and admiration.
"Just the same, I hope and believe;" and with the words the mother's hand passed caressingly over the golden curls.
"Mamma, you have been crying very much," remarked Harold sorrowfully. "I wish—"
"Well, my son?" as he paused, leaving his sentence unfinished.
"I wish I could make you so happy that you would never want to shed a tear."